Op-Ed: Russia infrastructure is reportedly being helped along by slave labour from North Korea. A BBC News report Tuesday showed gangs of North Korean men working on building projects in Russia but all are slaves in all but name. The men are North Korean and they have no choice about leaving their homes to work in Russia. One man who had tried for asylum in Russia was Economic woes in North Korea is a boost for the construction industry in Russia.

Russia infrastructure is reportedly being helped along by 'slave labour' from North Korea.

A BBC News report Tuesday showed gangs of North Korean men working on building projects in Russia but all are slaves in all but name.

The men are North Korean and they have no choice about leaving their homes to work in Russia.

One man who had tried for asylum in Russia was dragged off to an uncertain fate back home.

As far back as 1994 there were reports of force North Korean labour in Russia. At that time the Independent reported "SEVERAL hundred North Koreans have escaped from gulag- style logging camps in Siberia. The mass break-out turns a spotlight on the shadowy camps where, Russian journalists say, North Koreans are kept as 'virtual slaves' to cut timber in a shameful deal that is profitable to Moscow and Pyongyang."

Watching the latest BBC footage from Russia Tuesday it seems little has changed.

The men were kept away from others while cameras and journalists were pushed away.

One private Russian builder admitted he simply turns a blind-eye to the plight of those involved in this forced labour.

How far Russia has come since its heady days of the revolution of workers or has it? Has it come full circle or always been an illusion?

As western sanctions against Russia continue to bite President Putin and his North Korean counterpart Kim Jong-Un may be thrown together.

"North Korea says it is facing its worst drought in a century and the United Nations has warned of the danger of mass starvation" and so it needs cash and plenty of it.

For both leaders this forced labour may be a perfect solution but not for the people.

Support NEWTEK - Like what we do here at NEWTEK? If so, you should consider supporting us…Running a news based website is fun, time consuming and can be costly. If you would like to help the site keep afloat please use the donate button​